Looking At the Charges Against Prestige Limo Owners

Editor's note: We want to extend an apology to Premiere Transportation, a company that was accidentally identified as being involved in this story. We would like to clarifiy that Premiere Transportation was in no way involved in this tragedy.

The limousine involved in the Saturday crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie had brake problems when inspected in March; however, documents show when it went back for a six-month reinspection in September, the same limo had a different license plate.

It's not known if the two plates were used to cover up failed inspections.

"Normally, the physical evidence in something like that would be traffic tickets, not 20 murder cases," says Arnold Proskin of Proskin Law Firm.

Proskin is like many in the Capital Region, trying to wrap his head around the horrific crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie.

On Wednesday, Nauman Hussain was charged with criminally negligent homicide. He's facing one count, but that could be bumped up to 20 — one for each victim. His attorney, Lee Kindlon, says the Hussain family was preparing for charges.

"I knew this day was going to come, because someone needed to point a finger," Kindlon says.

Proskin says the charge doesn't carry the weight many would assume.

"It's not really where you're going jail for life or anything like that. I think it's basically, if I'm not mistaken, one and a third to four years is the max you can get," Proskin says.

However, Proskin adds there must have been some physical documents linking Nauman to Prestige Limo's operations, which allowed State Police the ability to charge him. Troopers say the son of the owner was well aware that the limo involved in that crash was not safe to operate.

Proskin believes the father may also be held accountable, but extraditing him while he was out of the country would be incredibly difficult.

The next step would be for this case to be presented to a grand jury, and it'll determine if it goes to trial. The timeline is expected to be very drawn out, as Proskin says he wouldn't be shocked if more idictments were to come down against Hussain.

Proskin also tells Spectrum News that civil cases the victims' families would bring against the company would be incredibly difficult. He does not believe the company has the money for the families to gain anything through lawsuits or settlements.